Friedrich mitller



P. MULLER. FILE FOB. LETTERS OB THB LIKE.vv

(No Model.)-

umm v lll `ANDREW E GRAHAM FHOTO-UTNO WASHINGTDILDC llnrrnn Sterns YPATENT muon.,

FILE FOR LETTERS OR THE LIKE.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent No. 558,657, dated April 21, 1896. Application filed March l, 1895. Serial No. 540,228. (No model.)

To aZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, FRIEDRICH MLLER, merchant, of 13 Gutleutstrasse, Frankfort-onthe-Main, in the Empire of Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Files for Letters or the Like, of which the following is a description, referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to letter and document files wherein the papers to be filed are impaled upon two pins or iinpaling-posts; and the object of the invention is to simplify and improve such a device throughout.

In my apparatus the hooks that constitute the closing device can be quickly moved out of engagement with the pins on which the letters or other sheets of paper to be filedare placed by simply pulling a rod which is con nected with the bolt that locks or fixes the hooks, so as to allow any desired sheet to be removed.

The essential feature of this tile as compared with what is already known consists in the mode of locking the hooks, while at the same time allowing of easily and quickly opening the iile and insuring a safe closure of the same.

One form ofthe invention is illustrated in the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which- Figure lis a bottom view of the file. Fig. 2 is asection on the line t y of Fig-l, the ap` paratus being shown closed; and Fig. 3 is a similar section, the apparatus being shown open.

with their pointed ends in the hollow filingpins h (which latter are beveled or otherwise suitably formed at their points) and'thus constitute the closure of the le. These hooks a extend through suitable apertures a in the top cover-plate of the casing c, which ineloses the locking mechanism, into the interior of said casing and are connected together at their lower ends by means of a cross-piece d. The latter is pivoted in suitable bearings (as for instance the lugs e, fixed on the bottom plate f of the casing) and has a projection or tongue c which when the file is closed is prevented by means of a bolt 'L' from turning or being turned upward by the action of the spring 7L, mounted on the cross-piece d, so that l Vhen the iile is closed,-the hooks a engage the hooks a are thus rigidly held in engagement with the iiling-pins I). The boltt' is fixed on the rod lo, which passes out through the wall of the casing and is there bent so as to form a handle l.

The rod 7.: and with it the bolt 'L' may be drawn back, moved by the handle Z, in opposition to the action of a suitable spring, such as m, which is or may be arranged'between the bolt t' and the wall of the casing.. This withdrawal of bolt 'i releases the tongue g, causing the hooks to spring out of engagement with the filing-pins Zi, opening the iile as in Fig. 3. In this position of the lile the bolt is held back by the tongue g, as seen in the ligure, against the action of spring m; but when the apparatus is again closed by forcing the hooks into engagement with the tilingpins, as in Fig. 2, against the action of the spring h, the tongue g releases the bolt e', letting it spring back into its position of rest, thus automatically locking the hooks in their closed position.

From the preceding description it is clear that the hooks can never move either by themselves or unintentionally away from the iiling-pins, but are always securelyheld in engagement therewith, and that they can be easily and quickly raised by simply pulling the handle Z outwardly, when they will Hy up as described.

I have now described the preferred form of my invention. I have purposely omitted certain minor details and modifications that may be made without departing from the principles, because to set them forth at length would obscure rather than make clear the more essential features; but

Ielaim and desire to secure by these Letters Patent of the United States, together with all such modifications as may be made by mere skill in the art and with only the limitations and restrictions as expressed or by law iinplied, as follows:

l.. In combination in a ile for letters, papers, documents, and the like, the filing or impaling pins b, the hooks, a, provided with a projection or nose g, a spring for opening the said hooks, a spring slide or bolt t' engaging the said projection or nose g and holding the said hooks closed, and means for with drawing the said slide or bolt in opposition IOO to its spring, the said nose g retaining the said slide or bolt in its Withdrawn position While the said hooks a are open, substantially as set forth.

2. In combination in a ile for letters, papers, documents, and the like, the ling or impaling pins b, the hooks a, provided with a projection or nose g, a spring for opening the said hooks, a spring` slide or bolt e' engaging the said projection or nose g and holding the said hooks closed, and means for Withdrawing the said slide or bolt t' in opposition to its spring, the said bolt t' and nose g being so designed that when the hooks are opened the nose holds the said bolt retracted; Whereby, upon closing the` said le it is automatically locked by the said bolt and whereby upon releasing the bolt it is automatically opened, substantially as set forth.

In Witness whereof l have hereunto set my zo hand in presence of tWo Witnesses.

FRIEDRICH MULLER. lVitnesses ALVEsTo S. HoGUE,l JEAN GRUND. 

